A blog of the writings and thoughts of free thinker, teacher, engineer and all-around knowledge buff. Topics covered include: Philosophy, Global Politics, Education, Physics, English Football and Speculative Fiction.

Friday, March 16, 2007

'Free Time' well spent

Teaching full-time and having a child does not allow for much free time but I thankfully have been succesful in usinng my spare time productively. The following is a list of nine activities that I am fond of:

1. Blogging (a bit self evident isn't it. But now that I have two blogs it is even more challenging).

2. Reading New Scientist (for the most part I am three weeks behind on this weekly periodical but I try and catch up during the school breaks). The main articles thaty interest me concern theoretical physics/cosmology, evolutionary biology, psychometrics, astronomy and scientific philosophy. NS is first rate for each of these topics hence my 5+ year subscription.

3. Writing - Have written two books - History of the Future and Take the History Challenge. Have a sequel to the former planned.

4. Reading History - Need to keep current. Interests are multifaceted. Although of late I have become most interested in the radical groups of the 19th century.

5. Reading Physics - As a physics teacher and a lover of the subject - I read whatever I can grab my hands on. At present I am working my way through (painstakingly) Roger Penrose's Road to Reality.

6. Debating others (usually on politics) on the web - Its a dirty job but somebody has to set the radicals and fundamentalists straight.

7. Watching football - especially the Mighty Reds - Liverpool.

8. Movies - I reckon that I enjoy 70% of them (my wife and are selective but open minded). We see a fair amount of foreign films. Its somewhat relaxing on a Friday night after the baby has gone to sleep.

I believe in the existence of a single power, an entity of unimaginable intelligence whose true essence cannot be defined. For convenience I will call this being God. It is God who created all of this universe and all possible universes past, present and future. Who or what God is supersedes explanation. God can destroy the universe as simply as it was created for God transcends all that is matter, energy and spirit. God is one.

I am best described as a Classical Liberal in that I champion democracy, human rights, private ownership of property, free enterprise, meritocracy, high levels of education, the rule of law and a complete openess to discussion and debate within society.

A person's ability to solve a problem depends on the perspective that you view yourself in relation to the problem. Always look down at the problem as though you are its master. Look up to the problem and you are lost from the beginning

Express the rhythm of one's thoughts in poetry but be careful not to allow the rhythm to dominate the ideas. It is the idea that is always paramount.